Match Preview: Atlanta United welcome MLS leaders Inter Miami CF for midweek clash

Sometimes the best thing you can do after a disappointing result is get back on the field as soon as possible, and a midweek game comes at a good time for Atlanta. On Saturday night, Atlanta United suffered a heavy loss at home to rivals Nashville SC. The team looked lackluster, with interim head coach Rob Valentino calling the performance “uninspiring.”

It was surprising, given the amount of time Atlanta had to prepare and what the team showed in their two games prior. After the Leagues Cup break, Atlanta traveled to the West Coast and held pace with the team in first place in the Western Conference for about 60 minutes before LA Galaxy scored twice. Atlanta followed that game with a strong win away at Bank of America Stadium, knocking out regional rival Charlotte FC. That’s more like what Atlanta United will be looking to emulate on Wednesday night.

The last time these two teams met at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in MLS play was in 2023, with Atlanta coming out on top with an impressive 5-2 scoreline that ended Miami’s 12-game unbeaten streak. This season, Atlanta United and Inter Miami CF previously faced off on May 29, with the 5-Stripes traveling to Chase Stadium to take on the Eastern Conference leaders. Atlanta United won that game 3-1 on the road. Saba Lobjanidze scored his first career MLS brace and was named MLS Player of the Matchday.

Lionel Messi played in that May game, and Atlanta United held the world-class star in check for 62 minutes. He then scored with a left-footed, low-driven strike past a diving Josh Cohen to pull one goal back for Miami. But that was all Miami got. Jamal Thiaré finished off a team goal to secure the three points for Atlanta.

Alexey Miranchuk (Atlanta United) – The designated player saw his first minutes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday when Atlanta United took on Nashville SC. It wasn’t the home debut the attacking midfielder was hoping for, as the team struggled to find pace or rhythm throughout the night. With Atlanta having scored just one goal in the club’s last three games, expect Miranchuk to prove his quality and spark the attack in front of the home fans on Wednesday night.

Luis Suarez (Inter Miami CF) – He is just one of a number of world-class names on a talented roster for Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino, but Luis Suárez has enjoyed an exceptional run of form of late. The Uruguay international has scored five goals in three games for the Herons, including both goals in the 2-0 shutout over FC Cincinnati on August 24.